274 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. which I have cause for ever to bless God. As for your dear wife, I fear the cares and troubles of the world take off her mind too much from walking closely with God, and from earnest endeavours after higher degrees of grace. I commend God untoher, and this excellent duty of medi- tation to all. It is a bitter sweet ; bitter to corrupt nature, but sweet to the regenerate part. I entreat her and your- self; yea, I charge it upon you, with humility and tender-, ness, that God have at least half an hour in a day allowed him for this exercise. Oh, this most precious soul-reviv- ing, soul-ravishing, soul-perfecting duty ! Take this from your dear friend, as spoken with reverence, faithfulness, and love. " One more direction let me give. See that none in your family satisfy themselves in family prayer, without draw- ingnear to God twice a day in secret. Here secret wants may be laid open. Here great mercies may be begged with great earnestness. Here the wanderings and coldness in family duty may be repented of and amended. This is the way to get sincerity, seriousness, and cheerfulness in religion. Thus the joy of the Lord will be your strength. Let those who know their duty do it. , If any think it is unnecessary, let them fear lest they lose the most excellent help to a holy, useful, and joyful life. " Take some of these directions from sincere affection ; some from my own experience ; and all from a compassion- ate desire for your joy and comfort. The Lord teach you in this and in the rest. I entreat you, never rest till you have attainedto true spiritual joy and peace in the Lord. The God of peace afford you his direction, with the fore- tastes ofhis comforts in this life, and the perfection of them, in the enjoyment of his excellency and holiness, through Jesus Christ." Having arrived at theage of twenty, he became fellowof his college. He wrote many pathetical letters to his brothers, followed by his prayers and tears for a blessing. He often addressed them individually, in, private conversation, when he earnestly recommended Christ, and affectionately urged them to seek an interest in him. And these his labours were not in Vain. He was supposed to have been the spiritual father of his own natural father, and several ofhis brothers, who will have cause to bless God, to eternity, that they ever received his instructions. He spoke to all his brethren in the language of the apostle : Brethren, my heart's desire.
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